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CAS No. 107-06-2

Photo: Wikimedia Commons^[1]

IARC Monograph Vol. 71, 1999 (Group 2B)

General Information

1,2-Dichloroethane is a clear, colourless, oily liquid with a chloroform-like pleasant odour^[2] and volatile properties.^[3] It is an important industrial chemical, particularly as an intermediate in the production of polyvinyl chloride.^[3]

1,2-Dichloroethane may also be referred to as ethylene dichloride.^[2] There are numerous other synonyms and product names; see HSDB for more information.^[4]

1,2-Dichloromethane has been classified by IARC as Group 2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans, based on evidence in experimental animals.^[5] Studies in mice and rats have shown an increased incidence of tumours at various sites, including the stomach, lung, liver, mammary gland, and uterus.^[3] Although excesses of some cancers have been observed in epidemiological studies, study results are inconclusive due to potential exposure to multiple compounds.^[5]

In addition, ingestion and/or inhalation exposure to high levels of 1,2-dichloroethane may cause adverse health effects in lungs, kidney, liver, and the nervous system.^[3]

How did CAREX choose this agent for review?

Regulations and Guidelines

Occupational Exposure Limits (OEL)

Canadian Jurisdictions	OEL (ppm)
Canada Labour Code	10
BC, QC	1 2 [stel]
AB, MB, ON, NL, PE, NB, NS	10
SK	10 20 [stel]
YT	50 75 [stel]
NT, NU	10 15 [stel]
Other Jurisdiction	OEL (ppm)
ACGIH 2011 TLV	10

ppm = parts per million

stel = short term exposure limit (15 min. maximum)

Canadian Environmental Guidelines

Jurisdiction	Limit	Year
Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines	0.005 mg/L	1987^[7]

1,2-Dichloroethane was not included in other Canadian government environmental guidelines reviewed.^[8,10]

Canadian Agencies/Organizations

Agency	Designation/Position	Year
Health Canada	DSL – low priority substance (already risk managed)	2006^[6]

1,2-Dichloroethane was not included in other Canadian government chemical listings reviewed.^[24]

Main Uses

1,2-Dichloroethane is used primarily in the production of vinyl chloride monomer,^[2] which is used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC). A small quantity of 1,2-dichloroethane is used in the production of compounds including ethylenediamines, tri- and tetrachloroethene, aziridines and various chlorinated solvents used for extraction and cleaning.^[3,11]

The use of 1,2-dichloroethane as a lead scavenging agent in gasoline is declining,^[4] although the extent of its current use in aircraft fuel is not clear.^[11] Historically, 1,2-dichloroethane was used in ore flotation and metal degreasers, as a grain, household and soil fumigant,^[3] and as a solvent in textile cleaning and pharmaceutical product processing.^[2]

Canadian Production and Trade

Dow Chemical, the only recent major Canadian producer of 1,2-dichloroethane, closed its plant in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, in October 2006.^[16] The prior closure in 2005 of Canada's last vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) facility in Fort Saskatchewan meant that, by the end of 2006, all 1,2-dichloroethane produced in Fort Saskatchewan was being exported.^[17]

Prior to the closures, Canada produced up to 900 kilotonnes of 1,2-dichloroethane per year.^[28]

Production and Trade

Activity	Quantity	Year
Canadian Production	770,000,000 t	2002^[11]
Export: None	N/A	2010^[19]
Import: Mainly from US	134 t of '1,2-dichloroethane (ethylene dichloride)'	2010^[19]

t = tonne

Occupational Exposures

Inhalation is the most important route of occupational exposure, although there is potential for ingestion and dermal contact.^[2] Occupational exposure occurs mainly in individuals involved in the production of vinyl chloride.^[2,5] Fugitive emission from leaks in valves, pipes and connectors may contribute significantly to employee exposures.^[20] Because 1,2-dichloroethane is generally produced in a closed system, exposures are minimal except during activities such as quality control sampling, and maintenance procedures like high pressure cleaning and filter changes.^[11]

Environmental Exposures

The main source of exposure to 1,2-dichloroethane for the general population is indoor air.^[12] 1,2-Dichloroethane has rarely been detected in food and there is low potential for bioaccumulation.^[21] Exposure may also occur via consumption of contaminated water, but its fast evaporation from water into air decreases this risk.^[3]

The main sources of emissions in Canada have been from the manufacture and distribution of 1,2-Dichloroethane, its use in the production of vinyl chloride,^[3,13] and from hazardous waste sites.^[3] In the past, household products such as cleaning products, pesticides, and carpet/wallpaper glues contained 1,2-dichloroethane.^[3]

Monitoring of Dow Chemical Canada Inc's production and storage locations from 2001-2004, under CEPA's life cycle management requirements, recorded a 34% reduction (3,957 kg) in 1,2-dichloroethane emissions at its Fort Saskatchewan plant and a 54% reduction (1,253 kg) from the North Vancouver facility.^[20]

Ambient air surveys conducted from 1988-1990 in 12 Canadian cities across 6 provinces found mean levels of 1,2-dichloroethane ranging from 0.07–0.28 µg/m³.^[12] The mean concentration of 1,2-dichloroethane from a 1991 national pilot study of residential indoor air (750 residences,10 provinces) was 1.8 µg/m³.^[12] Canadians' total daily intake of 1,2-dichloroethane has been estimated to be 0.43-0.70 µg/kg-body weight/day.^[12]

No household products with 1,2-dichloroethane as an ingredient were listed in the U.S. Household Products Database.^[22] A search of the National Pollutant Reporting Inventory (NPRI) yielded the following results on current potential for exposure to 1,2-dichloroethane in Canada:

NPRI Database

NPRI 2009^[23]
Search term: '1,2-dichloroethane'
Category	Quantity	Industry
Released into Environment	4.7 t	Chemical manufacturing (4 companies)
Disposed of	4.09 t
Sent to off-site recycling	None